Kosovo Launches First Via Dinarica Festival

The first edition of the Via Dinarica Kosovo Festival began today in the city of Peja, an event aimed at promoting mountain tourism, local products, and the cultural heritage of the region, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Organized by the Utalaya Foundation with the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, the festival will run until August 17, reports KosovaPress.

It opened with a Local Products Fair and a virtual tour of “Via Dinarica Kosovo,” showcasing gastronomy and handicrafts. The official ceremony featured speeches from local and international representatives, including the Italian ambassador to Kosovo, officials from the municipalities of Peja and Junik, and representatives of sports federations.

The event also marked the presentation of the Via Dinarica Kosovo brand, a significant step toward promoting the mountain trail as a tourism destination.

Uta Ibrahimi, head of the Utalaya Foundation, said the project will inspire people worldwide to fall in love with Kosovo’s mountains.

Italian ambassador Maurizio Antonini highlighted the project as a milestone for developing Kosovo’s natural heritage, calling Via Dinarica “more than a trail, a bridge connecting communities and cultures.”

Acting Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, emphasized its importance for Kosovo’s European integration and sustainable tourism development.

In the coming days, the festival will host mountain races, discussions with bloggers and travelers, the premiere of the Via Dinarica Kosovo documentary, and concerts by local artists—creating a platform for collaboration among communities, tourism operators, and institutions to boost sustainable tourism in Kosovo.